The Mentor

Thought I'd share the nomination that won the TRIEC's 2008 Mentor of the Year award for Michael.

He was, truly, surprised.


My mentor, Michael, motivated me by conducting a number of one-on-one sessions in one of his office's meeting rooms. That may seem like a small thing to some but it was an incentive to continue working toward that great career move. Michael also helped me through several versions of my Resume and Cover Letter, my :30s elevator pitch and mock interviews. He pointed out shortcomings ever so kindly. Even the little things were not overlooked. For e.g., for my first meeting with him, I arrived about 20 minutes early. Michael advised that I should try not to arrive more than 10mins early for an interview. Makes sense if you think about it.

Whenever he had a tip, he'd either send an email or call. He'd follow-up, too, to ensure that I was carrying out my 'homework' - making the connections we'd talked about. When I got called for the interview, he unabashedly shared my excitement. It felt like I had someone in my corner. Michael provided his contact info early on and, if he was going to be inaccessible at any time, he'd give me an early heads-up.

I was happy to work with him working with me. Michael 'pushed' me ...ok, strongly encouraged me to tap into the IABC network of Communications professionals. Even though that was not one of the organizations with which he was very familiar, he realized that it was important to my profession. Needless to say, he coached me on what to say and how to best approach the right persons within the organization. When I did not succeed in making contact initially, he kept at me to keep at it, pointing out a change in strategy. It worked! I got in touch with another executive and that actually led me into a conversation with her. While the complimentary invitation to the networking session that we were aiming for did not come to fruition, a new professional relationship did! The exec has since invited me to be a LinkedIn connection and has also referred me to one of her connections to be considered for a new position!

Michael's advice was multi-fold. My Resume and Cover Letter metamorphosed through his input. My :30s elevator pitch became much improved. I also took his advice on arriving no more than 10 mins early. The better part? His advice on preparing for the interview. It was encouraging to hear that I should just be myself as I present well - and I shouldn't underestimate that. More importantly, he emphasized that I should convey an attitude of helping the organization, as opposed to focusing on what they could do for me.

After I got the job - which he was absolutely thrilled about (he was the second party I called after my family) - he gave me very helpful on-the-new-job tips (be a great team player; be willing to help and learn and make your boss look good :)

The best part? At the end of my first month on the job, he emailed congrats and checked on how things were going! That wonderful gesture was much appreciated and forms a great part of the reason for my nomination of Michael ____ for Mentor of the Year 2008. He doesn't know I'm nominating him. I'm thinking it'd be a nice surprise!


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

"These are for you"

I attended an awards ceremony earlier this evening. The person whom I'd nominated, won.

After accepting his framed award, along with a handful of beautifully arranged Calla Lilies, he made his way back to the crowd. When he got near me, he said, "These are for you." I couldn't help but chuckle. After I'd graciously accepted the lovely arrangement, with thanks, we hugged.

I'm glad to have done something that meant so much; something that brought so much joy to someone else.

It was a good evening.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Welcome to the 21st Century! We've been waiting for you.

Thoughts on the now-history US Presidential elections.

"What made him (McCain) think that he would win...
...with Sarah Palin on the ticket? She looked like the other side of Hilary...until she opened her mouth."

I told my sis that had her question stop at the word 'win', the response would have been quite different.

Hardly any vocalized support from the icons of the civil rights era (read: Jesse Jackson et al.)"

I'm thinking that had Obama strongly aligned himself with them, it might've appeared to be a continuation of those past efforts at the presidency. In addition, the journey would be burdened by racial under and overtones. They paved the way and he extended it to a road less traveled - make that, never traveled.

Of the two candidates, Obama seemed to be better able to bring the USA in line with the psyche of the rest of the world - at least with other progressive countries. His being the first African-American to be elected President of the USA adds weight and credibility to the baton. The USA, always so great, and yet, the fly in the soup - a certain backwardness, if you will - even in this here 21st C.

"So many people gathered at Grant Park in Chicago. They wanted to share that piece of history. The realization of Martin Luther King Jr's dream."

People saw the opportunity to play a part in the realization of the dream.

And so I say to the US of A: "Welcome to the 21st Century! We've been waiting for you!"


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

America is old enough, isn't she?

I was watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert as they broadcast the results of the 2008 USA Presidential elections that came to an end tonight. Their take was very funny and creative. Without warning, at that decisive moment, Jon uttered, "I would just like to say, if I may ... that at 11 o'clock at night, Eastern Standard Time, the president of the United States is Barack Obama."

A quick toggle over to CNN showed an extensive expression of jubilation.

The USA has finally caught up with so many other countries. Whether the outcome was the first woman Veep or the first African-American Prez, there is a sense that that shouldn't really be news, here in 2008. CNN had a quick fact earlier: "If elected, Barack Obama will be the first president born in Hawaii."

When I saw that, I thought, at this point, that should be one of the main ...distinctions, if you will. But, we know why it isn't; why Obama's win is so significant. It's historic; something the world has never seen before. And so, the world has, tonight, changed in some way, shape or form.

The victory is not just his. It heralds - while confirming, if you will - a change in the psyche of other African-Americans; of (insert origin here) -Americans; of so many people around the globe, where, as the saying goes, 'geography is now history.' The kind, or extent, of the change? We shall see, shan't we?

Still, there's a lingering sense that America should have got here already.

After all, she's old enough, isn't she? I dunno. I do know that in these elections, she displayed social, political and democratic maturity.

And so, on this day, Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Barack Hussein Obama, born August 4, 1961, has become the 44th President-elect of the United States of America.

My parents were married on November 5, 1969. Tomorrow is their 39th Anniversary. Happy Anniversary guys!!!


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Dnafcnatgada: Only for the poetry

I've decided to share poems from my tweens to the now, right here. I'll try to resist the temptation to edit them prior to posting them. However, I shall also reserve the right to reproduce them in other media and edit, as I deem necessary. I learned much about writing while writing, over the years. The argument may be made about 'raw honesty'. But, there's something to be said for learning the right...well, on second thought (and you can tell I've started having second thoughts), we'll see.

Just about the time I'd started writing - poems, short stories, diarya-into-journal entries - I assumed the pseudonym "Dnafcnatgada". Lying in bed one night when I was about fourteen, it just came to me. Like, it was there for only me to take. And I took it. I still don't know what it means, and it still doesn't matter.

I use it only for the poetry.

Leafing through my (rather worn, yellowing and spineless) notebook tonight, I found this one I'd penned twenty years ago - give or take about two weeks. It's dated Saturday, October 15, 1988. Was I in love? I think so.

When I see you again

I came to see you today
And again, you were not at home.

When I see you again
I'm going to cry in your arms
'Cause I missed you so much.
And I'll tell you how much
I longed to see you.

But first
I will demand to know
Just where you were
And what you dared to place before me.
I would like to know
Just how much you value your time with me
How much you loathe the time without me.

But, after that
I will forgive you
As I always do.
When I see you again.

-Dnafcnatgada

New life: "Babies are a great way to start people."

Today, October 18, 2008 is a special, wonderful and blessed day! It's the birthday of the new baby in the family! Amazing!

Who would've thunk it? My sis and her husband became first-time parents today! New baby was born at 7:07pm (their time) weighing 6 lbs 6oz.

I'm an aunt! OK, so, writing it doesn't make it any more or less real.

We are filled with joy so intense, it undoubtedly overwhelms the (albeit, inkling of) anxiety that was, I imagine, secretly shared by all of us.

So, our mom and dad are grandparents for the first time. They are positively grinning, I tell ya!

In under fifteen minutes from the time sis went into the labour room, there were the cries. The sound of new life: "And you're slapping me, becaaause?" LOL!

My other sis said she, along with our other sis - do the math :) got a quick peek at the bundle of beauty. There she was looking around like, "Soooo, I'm here. Let me take this all in. Ahm, what do I do now?"

Sis said our mom came out beaming to announce that the new born looks so much like her (now exhausted) mother.

Of course, I've been in touch since they were on the way to the hospital. Thankfully, my sis has been facilitating (almost) step by step reports. I also talked to our dad who'd stayed home - a bit too nervous is my guess :)

I finally got to talk with the new mom. She related what she felt and what it felt like and how she felt and what she did and how many times she did it... I was just as excited to hear it.

Our mom was with her the whole time (hers was the hand she held), wiping her face and encouraging her throughout. Her hubby was taking the pics and vids.

Thank God, all is well. Mother and baby are doing fine, with baby now enjoying her first meal.

They've promised to send the pics and vids until I get to meet her. Hopefully, that's in another couple of months.

What's that quote? "Babies are a great way to start people."

True that!


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro

Smile

Someone said something nice to me the other day. It was empowering, too.

She said, "You have leadership written all over you."

I smiled.

The annual kind.


Claudia
www.cyopro.com
www.twitter.com/cyopro